Aug. 11, 2007
No one warned me
Posted in Family
They told me to pack insect repellant and sunscreen. Send money for snacks. Extra socks are always a good idea for the scouts. But no one told me that my 12 year old child would go away for two weeks and come back a teenager.
Spenser spent a week at Boy Scout camp, followed by a week on a mission trip with our church youth. He has been on mission trips for 5 years, but this was his first time as one of the youth and not just one of the youth pastor's kids.
The changes have been coming-- he grew 4 inches taller in the past 11 months and gained about 20 pounds. He went from size 10 slim to size 14/16 in a blink. He wears size 8 men's shoes. And yet, I convinced myself he was still my boy. But something happened while he was away. He grew into those size 8 shoes. He came back on the bus with his MP3 player in his ear, wearing a baseball cap (which he has never in 12 years worn except on a baseball field), and it took my breath away. He looked like... well, like the rest of them. Like one of the youth and not just one of the youth pastor's kids.
The changes aren't bad ones, and they aren't complete. He seems more mature-- most days. He offered to take the trash out yesterday when Jason was sick-- until he saw something gross on the trash bag. He worked at drama camp and made $50 for helping with the youngest kids. It was so sweet to see him holding their hands and taking the little boys to the bathroom. They followed him around like the Pied Piper. And at home he told me which ones cried all day and who took his hat and wore it all day. He wavers between protecting and teaching his sisters and perstering the stew out of them. When Macy falls asleep in the van, he carries her in the house for me. And I think, "just yesterday I was carrying you in."
I remember when he was born and the Empty Nesters warned me to savor each day because they go by so fast. And I believed them, but I didn't know. Now I see it, and I want to hold on more tightly as I feel him slipping away from me. But I know I can't. So I try a little harder to savor each day and treasure each memory.
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Comments
Aug. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by Anonymous
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This post choked me up something fierce. It's happening before my eyes as well, and I waver between holding on and letting it happen...(like let him ride his bike to the mom n' pop store on our little country road...)
sniff, sniff.
your son DOES look older, I remember the pics you had on your blog this past year. (minus the ballcap)
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
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Aug. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by homeschoolingmommaof4
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Boy do I know what your talking about. I've been going through this with my oldest. I know I have to let him grow but part of me just wants to hold on to my little boy. It sure is hard being a mom.
Have a blessed day!
JoAnn
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Aug. 12, 2007 - ummm
Posted by Jason
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Shoot, something's wrong with the screen, it's hard to read as I type...oh, wait, that moisture's not on the screen...
Edited by NeverAlone on Aug. 12, 2007 at 8:14 PM
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Aug. 12, 2007 - Aww
Aug. 12, 2007 - He's Adorable
Posted by The Bennett Bunch
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Wait, don't let him know I said that. I have a twelve year old son myself. He is finally starting to grow up also. It seems like the time goes by just way to fast.
Donna
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Aug. 12, 2007 - He's Adorable
Posted by The Bennett Bunch
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He's Adorable!!
Wait, don't let him know I said that. I have a twelve year old son myself. He is finally starting to grow up also. It seems like the time goes by just way to fast.
Donna
P.S. I am still learning this posting thing. I am sorry if I posted it twice.
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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
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Form letters away from his Eagle, taking him to cubbies still seems like yesterday.
I want to do it all again!
Dallas Meow
http://listentomeandlistengood.blogspot.com/
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Aug. 13, 2007 - Hi!
Posted by Anonymous
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My comment has nothing to do with this post. :) I was looking at your timeline that you made for MOH from last year and I was wondering if you made the figures or if you found another source for them. I liked the way yours looked because I can't draw worth a darn and I don't want to buy the fancy ones.
Thanks!
Betsy
http://thehomeschoolway.blogspot.com
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Oct. 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
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oh man...you mean they keep growing? My daughter is eight and I told her to stop it. Especially now that her b-day is a month away. Get this...she is excited about it!!! It is a conspiracy.
Dana
http://gottsegnet.blogspot.com
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